Abstract
Various construction techniques have been used in the development of education infrastructure throughout the world. In evaluating the use of prefabricated construction methods in the development context, there is significant evidence indicating that these methods do not deliver the anticipated advantages commonly perceived as hallmarks of the technique. Through this analysis, various examples of prefabricated school construction have been identified that challenge the common assumption that the use of prefabricated construction methods is the most efficient method of construction in that it is faster, less expensive, and results in higher quality than the use of traditional construction methods.
Over the last several decades there have been trending shifts in policy as pertains to funding, procurement, and management of education infrastructure construction in developing nations. There is evidence that centralized systems of decision making and management result in less effective outcomes than localized systems of management. Greater integration of local-owner and end-user decision-making at the initial stages of planning and design of education infrastructure in developing countries leads to better overall project outcomes.